Note-Taking Accommodation Guidelines

Note-taking assistance may be provided to qualified students who are registered with the Disability Services for Students office.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be an SSU student and currently enrolled with the Disability Services for Students office.
  • Have specific documentation of a disability where the functional limitations affect one’s ability to take notes in the classroom
  • Students with hearing and visual impairments, as well as those with cognitive impairments related to processing speed, attentiveness, auditory processing, or dysgraphia, may also be eligible for note-taking assistance.
     

Note-Taking Accommodation Guidelines

  1. Note-taking services are provided as a disability-related accommodation to eligible students registered with the Disability Services for Students (DSS) office who have a documented disability, which impacts the student’s ability to effectively take notes in class.
  2. The DSS student should schedule an appointment with their DSS Advisor prior to the beginning of the semester to request note-taking accommodations in specific classes where this assistance is needed. Failure to promptly schedule an appointment with your Disability Management Advisor may result in a delay in the provision of this disability-related accommodation.
  3. The DSS student and DSS Advisor will discuss note-taking options such as:
    • Classmate sharing their notes (Note taker)
    • Use of a digital recorder
    • Use of a LiveScribe pen
    • Use of the Otter.ai voice meeting notes app (iOS/Android)
    • Note Taking Express (iOS/Android)
  4. Notes should include details covered during lectures, class discussions, and videos/films in class.
  5. Notes provided by the note taker are not a word-for-word transcription, but should highlight major topics or themes, basic concepts, new or difficult vocabulary, assignment details, class announcements and due dates for tests, quizzes, and projects.
  6. The DSS student should notify the note taker of the preferred form of note delivery (i.e. carbonless paper, scanning notes and provide via email).
  7. The provision of a note taker is not a replacement for a DSS student’s attendance in class. The note taker is not expected to take notes on assigned readings or other homework-related activities.
  8. Note takers should be punctual, reliable and maintain confidentiality about the DSS student(s), asking for feedback on notes from the student (where appropriate), delivering the notes in a timely manner (within 24-48 hours) and in the agreed-upon format.
  9. The DSS student should notify the DSS office if they experience any problems with the note-taking services that are being provided. Please be specific in providing examples of the problems you are experiencing and the DSS office will investigate and take appropriate action if needed.
  10. If the note taker is absent from class, they are still responsible for sharing notes from that class meeting by perhaps asking another student for a copy of their notes.
  11. The DSS student should immediately notify DSS of any changes in the need for note-taking services or course enrollment status (dropping or changing classes).